Niagara Falls is a beautiful, natural wonder. Niagara Falls actually contains two separate falls, the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. The Horseshoe Falls are located on the Canadian side and are the most photographed of the two falls. The American Falls are located on the US side and are a bit smaller than The Horseshoe Falls.
The Horseshoe Falls are 167 feet high and 2600 feet wide. Approximately 85% of the water from Niagara flows down The Horseshoe Falls. The American Falls are not nearly as wide as The Horseshoe Falls, although they are higher than The Horseshoe Falls. The American Falls are 176 feet high and 1000 feet wide.
Erosion is definitely an issue at Niagara Falls. As the water pounds down the rock, the rock erodes away slowly. Approximately 1 inch of rock wears away annually at The American Falls, while 3 inches erode annually at The Horseshoe Falls. The rock contains layers of shale, limestone and sandstone. Although Niagara Falls was originally located in Lewiston, New York, it has gradually moved over the years due to erosion. The falls are now located approximately 7 miles upstream toward Lake Erie.
Niagara Falls is believed to have been formed about 12,000 years ago due to the flooding of Lake Erie. Indian tribes made their homes along the Niagara Falls area long before the first Europeans arrived. Niagara means “the strait” in Iroquois Indian. The word Niagara is derived from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra.
During the 1800’s, tourists began visiting Niagara Falls. The area began to develop at a quick pace. Industries, hotels and taverns began to operate along the river during this time. In 1885, Niagara Falls Park was established. To prevent the destruction of the natural scenic beauty and preserve the area, 430 acres were set aside for the park. In 1886, Queen Victoria Park was established with 196 acres. Since this time, many more acres have been added to both parks to conserve the area.
Niagara Falls is located on the Niagara River. This river is located approximately halfway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The Niagara River forms a natural border between the US and Canada. The Whirlpool Rapids, which are located about 3 miles below the fall, are famous for their incredibly violent current. The current of the Whirlpool Rapids is so strong that it has actually carved a round basin in the rock.
Approximately 10 million tourists visit Niagara Falls yearly.
References:
The World Book Encyclopedia
